A/N: This oneshot takes place concurrently with "Kiki Comes Home!" Please read, review, and enjoy!

The Ultimate Detective and The Ultimate Hope Gaiden: Shuichi Comes Home!

Shuichi watched as the car drove away. His eyes lingered on the face of Kiki, still asleep in the backseat, before it disappeared. Letting out a sigh, he turned around and faced the familiar door that led to his grandfather's humble abode.

Aunt Sara's probably gonna smother me like she always does when she opens the door while Uncle Minato will tell her to give me some space… Shuichi couldn't help but allow an embarrassed smile as he imagined the predictable reunion in his mind. Well…let's get this over with…

*Ding Dong*

Shuichi was surprised to hear the frantic sounds of feet pounding against the floor on the other side of the door. I know I've been through a lot in the last couple weeks, but I didn't think Aunt Sara would be this much in a rush…

Eventually, the door opened, and the sight before him caused Shuichi's eyes to widen in surprise. A woman with long, albeit frazzled blue hair stared into his eyes, tears trailing down her own.

"M-Mom…?"

"Shu…Shuichi…!"

She burst into tears, drawing him in a fierce, protective hug. Shuichi froze in shock as her wails assaulted his ears and her sobs soaked his shirt.

"SHUICHI! THANK KAMI YOU'RE HOME SAFE!"

"M-Mom…" Shuichi awkwardly patted his mother on the back. "W-What's going on? A-aren't you and Dad supposed to be shooting a movie overseas?"

"Hitomi, dear, let the boy come inside."

Shuichi's gaze shifted to a man with short black hair who gently tried to pry his wife off his son. Eventually, he succeeded, and Hitomi wiped her tears on her wrist.

"G-Gomen…" She sniffled. "I was just…so happy to see him alive…I…"

"…Why don't we continue this in the living room?"

Everyone turned to see Minato and Sara standing in the hallway. They smiled at Shuichi, restrained joy dancing in their eyes at the confirmation that their nephew truly was standing in front of them.

Shuichi sat awkwardly on the couch, sandwiched between his parents. His mother's arms were wrapped around his own, and her head rested against his shoulder. His father, on the other hand, rested his hand against his son's back.

This kind of physical affection from Mom and Dad is…kind of alien… Shuichi admitted to himself. I'm so used to them being not around…I forgot what it was like to actually be held and touched by my parents… Shuichi cleared his throat and asked "So…why are you guys back? I thought you were gonna be in America shooting your next movie at this point."

It was Minato who spoke up. "After your parents first saw footage of you trapped in that Killing Game, they dropped everything and took the first flight back to Japan. They were knocking on our door within 24 hours."

Issei nodded. "We were both fraught with worry, and your mother was simply beside herself, son. Your survival was all we could think about, and we knew that we had to get back home."

"When they came in, your mother was begging your uncle to tell them what they could do to help rescue you." Sara revealed.

She…she was…?

That revelation surprised Shuichi. Given that both Issei and Hitomi were "hands-off" parents who left everything to Minato and Sara, the news that his mother wanted to get personally involved was a shellshock to the young detective.

"I explained that I had been in contact with the Naegis, since Kiki was also abducted with you." Minato interjected. "Kyoko had informed me that she was in contact with the police chief, Kiyoki Ishimaru, and that he had assured her that their best detective was working diligently on the case to find and rescue you all."

So that's why Yui Samidare came for us… Shuichi realized, recalling the sense of relief he felt when she and the police broke into the trial room and arrested Tsumugi.

"Your uncle urged us to have faith, and although your mother was…emotional at the moment, we did our best to believe that you would survive long enough for help to come." Issei explained. "It wasn't easy to watch, though. Everything you endured, your suffering, it really took a toll on your mother, son. She didn't wear any of her fancy clothes, she didn't put on her makeup, it was sometimes a challenge to get her to eat."

"M…Mom…?"

Hitomi nodded. "H-How could I worry about any of that when my baby boy didn't even know if he'd see tomorrow?!"

"Mom…"

Gaining a new appreciation for his mother, Shuichi finally wrapped his arms around her form, gently drawing her close. Finally letting go of his arm, Hitomi reciprocated his embrace.

This is strange, but…nice…

"Shuichi…"

"W-what is it, Mom?"

"I…I'm sorry I haven't been around as much as I should have been…we both are…" As Issei nodded, Hitomi continued "So…your father and I have been talking, and…we're taking a step back from our movie careers."

Shuichi blinked. "H-Huh…?"

Issei explained "Seeing you in danger like that, son…it's made us realize that we haven't spent as much time with you as we should have. So, Shuichi…we've decided that we want to be a bigger part of your life while we still can."

"You…you are…?"

"Yes, we are. We're still planning on writing and acting in movies, but we're not gonna be going abroad for a while. We're keeping them local, and we're limiting our work hours, so we can actually be home and spend time together."

Is…is this a dream…? Shuichi wondered. I…I always wanted my parents to be in my life as a kid. But to hear that it's actually happening, even if it's late…it feels like I'm stepping into the Twilight Zone…

Minato smiled at his siblings and nephew before he cleared his throat. "I can imagine this is a lot to take in, but let's just take this one step at a time, okay? Why don't we start by having dinner together at the table? A nice, family meal should be a good way to break the ice, so to speak."

"How are you feeling, my boy?" Minato asked, sitting on Shuichi's bed next to him.

Shuichi smiled softly at his uncle. As the guardian that had been the most involved in Shuichi's childhood and the one that knew him best, the young detective felt comfortable speaking freely with his mentor.

"Honestly, Uncle…my head is still spinning. I only just got my memories back, and on top on reconciling the fact that one of my friends put us through all that…seeing my parents come home and actively trying to be a part of my life now…"

Minato chuckled. "Yes, we were surprised too when they came to our doorstep. Going from only occasional contact for major events to wanting to be here for you every day, I can understand if you feel a little suffocated by the attention at the moment."

"Y-Yeah…I'm still getting used to all the hugs and stuff…"

"I think she's trying to overcompensate for the years that she wasn't around." Minato mused. "Seeing you in that Killing Game probably jolted your parents quite a bit and made them realize how much more important you are to them than those movies they've been making."

Shuichi nodded. "I never doubted that they loved me. I was just so used to their…hands-off style…that actually being hugged and seeing Mom cry like that…it's strange."

Minato playfully ruffled his nephew's hair. "Well, like I said, let's take things one day at a time. Let your parents know what your boundaries are, but don't push them away too much just because you're not used to their newfound desire to give you attention. I imagine it'll take time before our new family relationship feels normal, but just take things at your own pace."

Shuichi chuckled. "Thanks, Uncle. I'll…try to get used to this."

Minato nodded. "Alright, I'll leave you to get your rest." He stood up, continuing, "Sleep well, Shuichi. Nothing's going to happen to you now; you can relax in your own room."

Shuichi nodded as Minato walked out and closed the door. With that, Shuichi lay down and curled up under the covers. With the threat of imminent death no longer hanging over his head, he found that sleep came much easier. As slumber pulled him deeper into its temporary darkness, he felt his soul illuminated by dreams of his childhood, altered to include his now attentive parents.

Mom…Dad…I can't change the fact that you weren't around back then. That's just a dream, and it'll always be a dream. But…I'll try to appreciate the fact that you want to be part of my life now.